Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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597. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention and that of his Department has been drawn to the fact that Irish fishing boats that have landed in France and Spain, during this current global fuel crisis have been able to avail of the fuel subsidy in those European Union member states; if he plans to introduce a similar measure in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47228/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am very aware of the challenges being faced by the fishing sector arising from the increased costs of marine fuel. I met with representative groups from the industry in July and again last week to discuss this matter and provide them with a progress report on the schemes being developed to support the fishing and wider seafood sector. These schemes, developed in line with the recommendations of the “Report of the Seafood Task Force - Navigating Change”, and deal with the wider challenges in the fishing and seafood sector.

In May, I introduced the 2022 temporary tie-up scheme. The €24 million scheme allows vessel owners, if they wish, choose to tie-up for up to two calendar months. This is the largest such voluntary tie-up scheme ever run in Ireland; vessels receive up to €88,000 per month to tie up under the scheme. This tie-up opportunity frees up additional quota for those vessels continuing to fish, improving vessel returns and supporting viability in the wider fleet and enables the opportunity to fish until the end of the year.

I have worked very closely with industry to develop short and longer term supports to assist the wider seafood industry cope with the consequences of Brexit and the wider operating environment. Since the publication of the Task Force Report, €225m in supports and developmental strategies have been launched. These are more generous and comprehensive that those put in place elsewhere and will enable our seafood sector and coastal communities to overcome the significant challenges it faces.

In relation to fuel prices, I will continue to monitor and assess the situation over the coming period and keep all available options under active consideration. I have also made clear the position that the seafood sector must be supported under any business supports provided in the upcoming Budget.